A growing sanitation crisis at the bustling Waterside market in central Monrovia, has ignited a heated dispute among the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC), the Liberia Marketing Association (LMA), and the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC).
The dispute stems over who bears the ultimate responsibility for maintaining the area’s cleanliness.
The once bustling Waterside Market, a major commercial hub for thousands of traders and shoppers, has become a public health concern due to the overwhelming stench from stagnant wastewater, locally referred to as “pupu water,” and accumulating garbage clogging its narrow streets.
Residents and business owners have expressed frustration over the deteriorating conditions, describing the market as a “hold your nose and pass zone.”
Many argue that the unchecked flow of wastewater from broken sewer lines, combined with inconsistent garbage collection, has turned the area into a sanitation disaster.
While the MCC, led by Mayor John Siaffa, is tasked with the overall cleanliness of Monrovia, the LMA, under the presidency of Elizabeth Sambola, is responsible for managing market operations, including sanitation within the markets.
Meanwhile, the LWSC is charged with maintaining sewer systems.
However, a lack of clear accountability has left the market’s sanitation in limbo, with traders and residents demanding immediate action.
Some street vendors have questioned where the funds collected for market maintenance are being directed, pointing to the persistent filth as a sign of mismanagement.
“This situation is unacceptable,” one trader lamented. “We deserve better. Our leaders must take responsibility for ensuring a cleaner, healthier environment for everyone.”
The sanitation crisis has also sparked outrage on social media, with many calling for urgent enforcement of sanitation laws, regular waste collection, and immediate repairs to damaged sewer lines to prevent further public health risks.
As of now, neither the MCC, LMA, nor LWSC has issued a joint statement addressing the matter, but pressure is mounting for swift action to prevent the area from becoming an even larger health hazard.
For a city as vital as Monrovia, restoring order to the Waterside Market is not just a matter of aesthetics, but a critical step toward improving public health and economic stability.